05/05/2011
Senate bill 90, sponsored by Senator Chang-Diaz , would increase the entry-level education required for licensure of massage therapists. ABMP is strongly opposed to SB 90. If passed, first time applicants for a license to practice massage therapy would have to complete a 900 hour massage program to qualify for a license to practice. Currently licensed massage therapists would also be negatively impacted by the bill.
The bill not only increases the entry-level hours to 900 hours, but mandates a specific breakdown of required hours in subject areas that are inconsistent with the rest of the country, including:
- 200 hours of anatomy, physiology, and pathology;
- 150 hours of kinesiology and/or mycology;
- 50 hours in the subject of hygiene, first aid, CPR, HIV including the instruction of infection control procedures;
- 180 hours of general theory and applications of massage therapy;
- 200 hours of additional instruction including a minimum of 75 hours of ethics, law, and business practices;
- 120 hours of actual hands-on practical massage therapy in a clinic or other supervised setting;
- Completed 150 hours of continuing education as prescribed by the board;
- Passed the national certification exam offered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB); or
- Is able to demonstrate that the applicant has been in active continuous practice of massage therapy for at least five years immediately preceding the effective date of this section.
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